My dad started me shredding (some call it bush hogging) with a big tractor when I was 10 years old. I felt exhilarated. Here I was, a kid driving this vast machine. Learning how to change gears in the manual transmission was fun. I was too young to drive a car, so operating a tractor was a blast. These emotions of exhilaration lasted about 10 minutes. After that, I realized just how stiflingly hot the 95+ degree summer heat was, especially with the engine’s heat making it 20° hotter. I also quickly discovered how relentlessly boring my new job was. Whether I was mowing a pasture in the shape of a square, a circle, or straight back-and-forth, my task was dreadfully monotonous.
At that time, I had no interest in improving my shredding skills or seeking ways to enhance my situation in life. All I wanted was to get through my work as quickly as possible so I could go do something fun. I’m not proud of this, but I was only 10 years old.
Thankfully, life knocked that attitude out of me, and I’ve transformed from a disinterested boy into a motivated adult. Unfortunately, I’ve also witnessed adults who still carry the same mindset I had at age 10. This is not the way to live. Over the past few years, I have dedicated myself to helping people find their vocation–their ‘calling’ in life. And I’m here to tell you, it’s never too late to find your purpose. I’ve always been open to good advice from those who have something significant to offer. One such person is Alan Cox, who worked for years as a management consultant. He provided practical advice on how to find your calling and maximize your potential. I want to share five of his key points with you.
1. Embrace continuous learning. It’s surprising how many people work without showing any interest in improving their skills or finding a job that truly suits them. They seem to just…exist, like the ten-year-old me. They want to get through their eight-hour workday and then move on to something they enjoy. But the key to a fulfilling career is to constantly seek improvement and growth, to turn a job into a vocation.
2. Stay informed about your industry. Look for developments within your discipline and in the industry outside of your place of work. You could pick up something that will help you grow. It could point you to another field for which you are better suited.
3. Don’t ooze negativity. Avoid negativity “like the plague.” This includes selfish behavior, troublemaking, and gossip. A positive attitude can transform both your work and personal life, leading to greater fulfillment and success.
- Cultivate and express a sense of humor. Learn to laugh at yourself and not take life too seriously. Cox defined humor as “accepting what is comical in ourselves without hurting our own feelings.” President Reagan was a master at overcoming criticism through his sense of humor. At the time he was elected, he was the nation’s oldest president, and critics leveraged that fact to attack him. Reagan deflected the attacks with quips like this at the National Correspondents Dinner, “Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.’ And ever since he told me that, I’ve stopped worrying.” That brought down the house.
- Gear your effort to results rather than work. Hard work is good, but effective results are even better. Work hard with an eye on generating a positive outcome.
So there you have it—five ways to construct a great future. No one wants to simply exist. People want meaning in their lives. Find your vocation and work toward making your future one of purpose.
Mark
Dr. Mark Edge
The WorkEdge Company
Telephone: 903-245-7851
Email: workedgetexas@gmail.com
Website: www.workedgetexas.com
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